How do you begin to describe those places in your life that you visit that make you feel like you are home when you arrive?? You know what I mean.... the ones where memories are made, where you watch your kids at youth conferences become the wonderful people they are today, and you love to catch up with the staff that treat you like family. It's a place where you meet up with friends from around the country that have shared interests and memories . Montreat, North Carolina is that place for me.

Lake Susan

Since the early 1990's I have been at Montreat at least once a summer, if not two or three times, for youth conferences or the Annual Recreation Workshop. It's always lots of work to help with these conferences but the rewards and renewal that you come out with are HUGE! It's like a little piece of heaven!Here are some of the doors we painted back at the STUDIOS that we used for signage during the week. They went in the auction, which provides money for scholarships. There is a neat story behind the garden gate (far left photo)... I purchased this gate from a little junk store while visiting a friend in Memphis. Another friend of mine purchased it as the Welcome Home gate. She is in the process of adopting two little girls and intends to put this out in front of the house when she brings them home. How special is that!!

Check out my new bike I bought at the auction!! It was hand painted by my friends Sonia and Angie and I love it!! It is for the vacation home that I don't have. I'm hoping to be selling these fun things on our Etsy site before long. 😊

I love to experience and watch adults laugh and play at this workshop. Watching church leaders, recreation leaders, and adults needing a little R & R spend the time away from the stress of everyday life, where they can learn and share with each other, is so very rewarding. I think we don't do enough of that in life. I feel I am fortunate enough to say I can play at work... but I think we will try to do a little more of that with the ladies at the store!

Below (left) is our communion bread on which we painted the answer to the question, "How is God calling you to say, 'yes' to love?" That was then shared with all participants in the worship setting.

The embroidery hoops were used to create Dojang's. It is a Korean signature stamp that we created in worship and then hung to share with all. Don't they look fun!! Now to pack up and return home for the next adventure. Going home on a high from the week is a great way to start the next one! Thanks for stopping by!!